And Cerezo insists the club will appeal against the suspension, but feels Diego Simeone's men can remain competitive even if they fail to get it overturned.

"The truth is that for us it has been a surprise," he told Goal.

"We are convinced that we have to appeal the sanction and we will do it for sure.

"I don't know if we can sign in the summer, because I do not know how the rules are, but there will be an appeal so let´s see.

"However, we have a superb, very young team, which will continue fighting for the same things - to get titles. Although the sanction is complicated, difficult and unfair, we will continue working as we have done so far.

"I have to tell the fans to be calm, that nothing happens, that we are in a good sporting condition and that we have to wait to see if the appeal progresses."